How To Stream With Multiple Cameras

Introduction

Moving from a unmarried photographic camera live stream setup to a multi-camera setup is quite a big step in terms of equipment and experience needed. However, the increased production value is sure to go on your viewers more than engaged.

In this guide we'll expect at ii of the most common methods for achieving a multi-camera live stream.

Hardware Method

Equipment needed if using a hardware encoder:

Cameras.
Audio Mixer.
Video Switcher.
Hardware Encoder.

Software Method

Equipment needed if using a software encoder:

Cameras.
Capture Carte.
Software Encoder.

Cameras

In that location are many photographic camera options to choose from. If you're planning on using a DSLR, brand sure it has a clean output over HDMI. We use the Fujifilm X-T3.

Audio Mixer

If y'all're using multiple sound sources then yous will need an audio mixer.

Video Switcher

Once again there are many options available. The Blackmagic ATEM Mini is a nice portable selection which as well offers basic audio mixing capabilities.

Capture Menu

If y'all're using a desktop estimator, y'all can utilise a HDMI capture menu in one of the PCI slots. If you're using a laptop, there's many HDMI to USB options. One thing to also note is that if you have a Blackmagic ATEM Mini, information technology tin can deed as a capture carte du jour equally it tin can output the video signal over USB.

Hardware Encoder

You can watch our video review of some of the bachelor hardware encoders, here. Additionally, if you accept the Blackmagic ATEM Mini Pro, you lot tin can push the video feed every bit RTMP.

Software Encoder

There are many software encoders bachelor and yous can read our previous blog mail service listing the pros and cons of some of the pop software encoders, here.

The Production Squad

Once you've decided on your production method, the next stride is managing the whole flow. This will be determined by how many people you have behind the scenes.

If yous want panning cameras or tracked close ups, y'all'll demand camera operators. On the product side, you'll need someone monitoring the audio levels and switching between cameras.

The other factor which volition determine how many people you need is the content itself. For a Q&A on a stage, you can potentially become away with one live stream operator, with a static broad shot and a static close shot of the presenter's podium. Nevertheless, if the talent is going to be moving around the stage quite often, it'southward worth considering having a dedicated camera operator.

The Production Method

If you lot've opted for the hardware method, all your production will be done on the video switcher and potentially an audio mixer. Depending on the blazon of video switcher y'all're using, there are extra elements you can add such as title cards, and blush key and the likes to make the live stream more interesting for viewers to watch. Naturally, for these extra features you'll likely accept to invest in a more than money in an expensive video switcher.

On the software side, all the actress features mentioned in the previous paragraph are mostly included with the software packages. With access to all the major production features, production quality is only limited by your creativity.

If you regularly produce multi-camera streams with software packages, then I would highly recommend getting a physical controller such as the Elgato Stream Deck or X-Keys. This will give you programmable keys to switch between multiple scenes or overlays.

Conclusion

As you may take gathered by now, moving from a unmarried camera alive stream setup to a multi-camera setup is a huge stride up in terms of equipment, people and experience.

In contempo years, even though the rise of software production solutions has lowered the bar to entry, there's zilch quite similar the tactile feeling of physically pushing a push.

Whichever route you cull, remember that there's no 'right fashion' to do things, so we encourage yous to constantly experiment until yous find a solution which you lot enjoy working with on a daily basis and which gets you the production results y'all desire.